Whether you’re planning an intimate wedding in your home or largescale destination event, hiring vendors is inevitably part of the wedding planning process. While reading reviews, reviewing their work and asking friends for recommendations is part of the researching process, it’s important to look out for these red flags from vendors when considering who you want to book for your big day. 

Slow to respond/hard to get ahold of 

This depends on a variety of factors—how in demand they are and if it’s their busy season, for example—but if you are waiting weeks to hear back after an initial inquiry, this could be a red flag that the vendor is not responsive and disorganized. Keep in mind you may hear from specific vendors more than others after booking and during the wedding planning process depending on their role for your wedding day, but poor communication, especially in the beginning stages, is usually a warning sign. 

No contract (or confusing contracts)

Any vendor who doesn’t have a contract is absolutely unacceptable. There is no official or legal obligation, outside of their word, to show up on your wedding day and provide the services they promised. If they don’t have a contract, pass on them. If they do have a contract, but it is hard to read—the overall cost, payment dates, billing options and additional fees are unclear, for example—that’s not a good sign. Everything should be stated plainly and in writing. Read your contracts closely and ask questions before signing anything. 

Saying you can book them without a wedding date  

In order to book any professional wedding vendor, it is a known fact you must have a wedding date set—not the wedding date you wish to have or are planning to book, but the one you have officially reserved at a wedding venue. Every wedding vendor has a cap on the number of events per day or weekend depending on their role and provided services, but how can a vendor commit to your event without having a specific date and checking their schedule/workload? Any vendor who says you can book them without having an official date is a red flag. 

Late to meetings (or forget them entirely)

While occasionally being late or rescheduling a meeting is normal, consistent lateness is not a great look. And a vendor who completely forgets about an appointment is not acceptable. Both are signs of poor communication, disorganization and unreliability, which are qualities you do not want on your wedding day.  

Tuesday, September 30, 2025